press release

Ne Plus Ultra The Hey, Hot Shot! Annual
February 8 – March 15, 2008
Opening Reception: Friday, February 8, from 6 – 8pm

New York, NY – Jen Bekman Gallery is pleased to present Ne Plus Ultra, the third Hey, Hot Shot! Annual exhibition, featuring the work of Nina Berman, Birthe Piontek, Brad Moore and Karolina Karlic. Selected from forty talented artists who have participated in the previous calendar year's quarterly exhibitions, the photographers are now represented by the gallery. The exhibition opens with a reception for the artists on Friday February 8, 2008 and remains on view through Saturday March 15, 2008.

The artists of this year’s Hey, Hot Shot! Annual speak to the competition’s geographic, cultural and educational diversity. Southern California photographer Brad Moore presents the viewer with images of buildings and shrubbery that through composition and found alterations offer a subtle irony. Karolina Karlic, born in Poland and raised in the Midwest, examines the people and places that formulate our personal and cultural identities. German photographer Birthe Piontek, now residing in Vancouver, B.C., creates visual narratives that seek to capture moments of innocence and adolescence, intentionally placing the secrets of her subjects just beyond the reach of the viewer. New work from New Yorker Nina Berman, whose Purple Hearts exhibition at Jen Bekman last fall met critical acclaim, explores how militarization is infiltrating and influencing the everyday life and culture in America.

“These photographers, who will only continue to mature their craft and refine their individual conceptual focus, are already award winning, internationally recognized, successful in their own right,” comments gallery director Jen Bekman. “The caliber of these four artists as well as the diversity of perspectives in their work, their geographic locations and professional experience also illustrates the expanding possibility of the competition itself as it evolves in reputation and scope. I consider it a great honor to have an opportunity to work with emerging talents and find inspiration, richness and enormous satisfaction in these relationships. In the coming year, Jen Bekman Projects will continue to expand its focus on creating innovative opportunities for all of the photographers who have been recognized by the HHS! Panel since 2005.”

For information on the Hey Hot Shot! submission guidelines, panelists, awards and current deadlines visit www.heyhotshot.com

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